Will There Ever Be Peace On Earth? Read the explanations below before watching the clips....
Introducing Students To "Paws For Peace"
Have students wrestle with their own definitions of what "peace" actually is by completing a Paws For Peace Frayer Diagram.doc (Click for a ready-made frayer diagram). They can do this as an individual assignment or in groups. The Frayer above is a traditional model with definition, examples, what it looks like, and non-examples. You can also have students use this placement frayer for a group Peace Group Frayer.doc. This frayer allows the teacher to design groups of 4, give each student a letter of the alphabet (A,B,C,D), then have them construct their own meaning of peace. After they have filled in the proper corner, group members take turns going around explaining their definitions while other members listen and reserve judgement or comment. When all have shared, the teacher randomly calls a letter and that student becomes the recorder. The group works together to create a joint definition of peace, and the recorder writes the definition in the circle or somewhere on the frayer diagram. Student need to save these definitions because they will be the basis of a Peace Poster Project.
The next introductory activity is contained in the two short video clips above titled "Balablock" and "Neighbours." "Balablock" is a Canadian short depicting what happens when this perfectly happy community of cubes runs into these totally different circles. The second short, "Neighbours," shows how two very similar, and seemingly content people can allow something harmless to come between their relationship. They dramatize how conflict develops, often without sense and reason, and how with a little understanding and cooperation, conflicts can be resolved. After the students watch one or both clips, have them respond to the following questions in 3 minutes: What did you find most interesting about the film? What does this film say about the causes of conflict? What lessons can we learn from these scenarios? How could the characters in both films resolved their conflict and stayed at peace?
Read the explanations below before watching the clips....
Introducing Students To "Paws For Peace"
Paws for Peace Posters: Click here download Posters Promoting Peace: peaceachance.jpg peaceachance7.jpg peaceispossible.jpg peaceispossible7.jpg place_peace.jpg visualize.jpg